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2 Indianapolis Deaths Attributed To Heat

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Extreme temperatures on Sunday contributed to the deaths of two men in Indianapolis on Saturday, the Marion County Health Department and Department of Public Safety said.

Anthony Bruton, 92, was found dead in his home on the city's west side on Sunday, and Randall Yates, 54, was found dead outside his home on the city's northwest side, the Marion County Coroner's Office said.

Bruton's home was closed up and not ventilated, with one fan inside, authorities said. He had last been seen alive on Friday.

Yates had been seen walking outside about an hour before his death. When his body was found, the outside temperature was 101 degrees.

While temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal for the next few days, MCHD said residents should continue to hydrate themselves and be mindful of stressing themselves unnecessarily.

"We want to encourage people to limit your time outside in the heat of the day between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., unless they absolutely have to; plus remember to stay hydrated," said Gary Coons, chief of the Indianapolis Division of Homeland Security.

Elderly people and infants are especially susceptible to heat-related illness.

"The threat to senior citizens is heightened because they generally do not sweat as efficiently as younger people, thus making it more difficult to adjust to high heat and humidity," said Dr. Virginia A. Caine, Marion County Public Health Department director. "Never leave infants, children, pets, elderly, or disabled persons in parked cars under any circumstances, even with the windows cracked open. Temperatures in parked cars can rise to greater than 100 degrees within 15 minutes."

An infant died Saturday after being left in a car in Greenfield, and a 16-month-old child was rushed to a hospital after being left in an SUV while his mother shopped, police said.

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